A system and method for transferring digital goods facilitates bulk upload of file images to a central repository. The software gets a File ID and a path to each file image to be uploaded from a list, typically an XML file, of input attributes. After successful verification, the file image is uploaded to the central repository and linked with a corresponding metadata object. Each metadata object contains attributes that describe the corresponding file image. Although file attributes may be defined when the metadata object is created, the software determines file image attributes as the file image is being uploaded and records them in the metadata object. File images are either uploaded from a server, typically an FTP server, having been placed there by the goods vendor; or the file images can be uploaded directly from a computer operated by the vendor.
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1. A computer-implemented method of transferring digital goods from one or more vendors to a central network repository, comprising steps of: assigning each vendor from among said one or more vendors a unique e-commerce server space directory, wherein the unique e-commerce server space directory includes a unique URL that allows vendors access to their own dynamically generated and password-protected web site; loading one or more versions of a plurality of software files from a source location by a vendor; obtaining at least one File ID parameter for each version of each software file among the plurality of software files and a source file pathname identifying the actual e-commerce server space directory location of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files at one or more computers operated by said one or more vendors, wherein said at least one File ID parameter is selected from a list of input parameters, wherein said at least one File ID parameter comprises a version file, wherein said version file contains an element corresponding to each version of each software file in said plurality of software files, and wherein said element contains said at least one File ID parameter; for each software file in said plurality of software files, verifying the integrity of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files via an error-detection scheme; linking each version of each software file in said plurality of software files with a corresponding metadata object within a product description; creating said at least one corresponding metadata object by the vendor of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files; uploading each version of each software file in said plurality of software files from said source location to said unique e-commerce server space directory, wherein said uploading fails when: said at least one file image is not found; said metadata object is not found; or said software file in said plurality of software files fails an integrity check; and interpreting the at least one File ID parameter and the source file pathname according to predefined rules for display of the at least one file image on standardized browsers using a user-defined template.
A method implemented in a computer system transfers digital goods (software files) from multiple vendors to a central online repository. Each vendor gets a dedicated, password-protected website (e-commerce server space) with a unique URL for uploading files. The vendor uploads software files, specifying a "File ID" (essentially a version identifier) and the file's location on their server. A version file contains the File ID parameter for each software file. The system verifies the integrity of the uploaded file, creates a metadata object describing the file, links the file to its metadata, and then uploads the file to the vendor's directory. Upload fails if the file image or metadata is missing, or the integrity check fails. The system uses predefined rules and a template to correctly display the uploaded file (or a file image) in standard web browsers, based on the File ID and path.
2. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program for transferring digital goods from one or more vendors to a central network repository, comprising computer-readable code means, said computer-readable code means comprising program code for executing a method for transferring digital goods, said method comprising steps of: assigning each vendor from among said one or more vendors a unique e-commerce server space directory, wherein the unique e-commerce server space directory includes a unique URL that allows vendors access to their own dynamically generated and password-protected web site; loading one or more versions of a plurality of software files from a source location by a vendor; obtaining at least one File ID parameter for each version of each software file among the plurality of software files and a source file pathname identifying the actual e-commerce server space directory location of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files at one or more computers operated by said one or more vendors, wherein said at least one File ID parameter is selected from a list of input parameters, wherein said at least one File ID parameter comprises a version file, wherein said verson file contains an element corresponding to each version of each software file in said plurality of software files, and wherein said element contains said at least one File ID parameter; for each software file in said plurality of software files, verifying the integrity of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files via an error-detection scheme; linking each version of each software file in said plurality of software files with a corresponding metadata object within a product description; creating said at least one corresponding metadata object by the vendor of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files; uploading each version of each software file in said plurality of software files from said source location to said unique e-commerce server space directory, wherein said uploading fails when: said at least one file image is not found; said metadata object is not found; or said software file in said plurality of software files fails an integrity check; and interpreting the at least one File ID parameter and the source file pathname according to predefined rules for the display of the at least one file image on standardized browsers using a user-defined template.
A computer program stored on a non-transitory medium manages the transfer of digital goods (software files) from multiple vendors to a central network repository. The program provides each vendor with a unique, password-protected website space (e-commerce server space) with a dedicated URL. Vendors upload software files, providing a "File ID" (version identifier) and the file's path within their server space. The version file stores each software file's File ID parameter. The system then checks the integrity of each file. The system creates a corresponding metadata object that contains product information and links it to the file. The upload to the central repository proceeds only if the file and its metadata are found, and the integrity check passes. Finally, the program uses file ID and path to render a file image via standard browsers using a user-defined template.
3. A system for transferring digital goods from one or more vendors to a central network repository, comprising: a source location comprising a server, wherein one or more versions of a plurality of software files is stored at said source location; memory; processor means for executing instructions in memory, said instructions including instructions for: assigning each vendor from among said one or more vendors a unique e-commerce server space directory, wherein the unique e-commerce server space directory includes a unique URL that allows vendors access to their own dynamically generated and password-protected web site; loading one or more versions of a plurality of software files from a source location by a vendor; obtaining at least one File ID parameter for each version of each software file among the plurality of software files and a source file pathname identifying the actual e-commerce server space directory location of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files at one or more computers operated by said one or more vendors, wherein said at least one File ID parameter is selected from a list of input parameters, wherein said at least one File ID parameter comprises a version file, wherein said version file contains an element corresponding to each version of each software file in said plurality of software files, and wherein said element contains said at least one File ID parameter; for each software file in said plurality of software files, verifying the integrity of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files via an error-detection scheme; linking each version of each software file in said plurality of software files with a corresponding metadata object within a product description; creating said at least one corresponding metadata object by the vendor of each version of each software file in said plurality of software files; uploading each version of each software file in said plurality of software files from said source location to said unique e-commerce server space directory, wherein said uploading fails when: said at least one file image is not found; said metadata object is not found; or said software file in said plurality of software files fails an integrity check; and interpreting the at least one File ID parameter and the source file pathname according to predefined rules for the display of the at least one file image on standardized browsers using a user-defined template.
A system manages the transfer of digital goods (software files) from vendors to a central repository, including a server to store files. The system assigns each vendor a unique, password-protected website space (e-commerce server space) with its own URL. Vendors upload software files, along with a "File ID" (a version identifier) and the file's server location; the File ID is contained in a version file for each software file. The system checks the integrity of each uploaded file. Then, it creates a metadata object to describe the file and links the file with the created metadata. Uploading the file to the vendor's dedicated directory on the central repository succeeds only if the file, associated metadata exist, and the integrity check passes. Predefined rules and a user template are then applied to display the file image to standard browsers based on the File ID and path.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 13, 2012
July 30, 2013
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